Want a Higher Sperm Count? Eat Walnuts.

by Joshua Shoemake

Feb 19, 2014

Photo: D. Lucas Landis

Low sperm count is one of the most common male fertility problems. In some cases, a better diet can make that sperm count shoot right up. Have you ever heard that walnuts can increase a man’s chances of getting his partner pregnant? Well, it is official now — walnuts improve fertility! It’s not an urban myth!

Lead author Professor Wendie Robbins from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health recruited 117 men between 21 and 35 years old. The study subjects, who were all eating a “typical western diet” (whatever that may mean!), were separated into two groups. One group was given 2.6 ounces of whole walnuts daily, to add to their diet. The other group continued with their previous diet, but was told not to eat nuts.

The results were pretty fascinating — the men who were in the group that started on a walnut-rich diet showed a significant improvement in their sperm count, but also had positive changes in the shape and speed of their swimmers! The men in the group that didn’t change their diet didn’t have any changes in their sperm quality.

Are you a tad skeptical about a study that says something as simple as eating walnuts could have such a huge impact on male fertility? Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield, shared his views with the BBC: “It would be relatively easy to poke fun at studies like this, but there is increasing evidence to show that aspects of a man’s diet can affect the sperm count and quality of sperm produced by his testicles.”

Do you or your partner have sperm count or quality problems, or are you just trying to conceive and hoping to maximize your chances of pregnancy as soon as possible? Lots of factors are responsible for a person’s fertility, and weight, having sex at the right time of the month, and other things play large roles. Researchers think that the fatty acids in walnuts may explain the results of this study, so trying to incorporate walnuts and other fatty acids into your diet may improve your sperm count.